Why this crappy location?

[Tankred]

Sorry if this has been asked or discussed before, but I still ask myself why the MM developers chose 'local settings' for the location of the user's files (db, ini etc.). I mean, this is a hidden folder and 'my music' (e.g.) would be a much more transparent location for the files, especially if you're into backups. But maybe there is a good reason to bury the files in a hidden directory tree, anyone got a clue?

[lobengular]

I always have error popping up and thereby not letting MM3 2 work. Could someone tell me where those hidden files ar so I can totally uninstall the MM3 2 so to reinstall it and see if that bug quits please!

[Tankred]

As you are from Germany:

C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\%UserName%\Lokale Einstellungen\Anwendungsdaten\MediaMonkey\

%UserName% steht natürlich für den Namen Deines Accounts.

[emalvick]

Sorry if this has been asked or discussed before, but I still ask myself why the MM developers chose 'local settings' for the location of the user's files (db, ini etc.). I mean, this is a hidden folder and 'my music' (e.g.) would be a much more transparent location for the files, especially if you're into backups. But maybe there is a good reason to bury the files in a hidden directory tree, anyone got a clue?

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but in a nutshell, this is due to the way Windows Vista operates. All software is getting to be that way, which is really awkward for database programs (this isn't the only program that behaves this way).

[Teknojnky]

I don't like it either and wish it (it being settings and database location) would be made optional *within the options*.

This would cut down on a huge number of posts and questions and problems.

[PoooMukkel]

The same with me. I don't like the new location. "My Music" is located on another drive on my PC. So I didn't had to make a backup of the database file, when formating my PC. Now I have to think of a backup for saving all settings and the database. I would be glad, if I could choose the location of the database by myself without changing any ini file manually...

[kubu4]

I'll agree with all of the above. Particularly since my C: drive (where XP resides) is rather small. Thus, I don't like having programs or other relatively large files there (like the 35MB MM3B2 database), particularly when they are installed unknowingly. That's the part that bothers me the most, is that MM3 puts information in a folder (hidden, at that!) without my knowledge.

[GSV3MiaC]

Yep, two black marks - one for putting it where most users won't be able to see it (and where it won't be backed up as part of regular 'my documents' backup process), and afaiac another one for changing from M$Access (which I have the tools to poke at and debug when it goes squirly**) to a different DB format which i don't.

** Like when it suddenly loses a VCD track - it's on disk, but the caching gets set to 'not' and the cache path name is cleared. In MM2.5 I can fix it .. in MM3 I doubt I'll be able to.

[jiri]

1. I'm a little surprised that there's so much fuss about this, many applications store data there, for example WMP does. The reason for this step is that this location is recommended for this kind of data by Windows standards.

2. Anyone who doesn't like it can customize DB location quite easily, there still works the same way as in MM 2.x, i.e. modify DBName field in [System] section of MediaMonkey.ini file.

3. The switch from Access to SQLite was already discussed in forum, it wasn't just for fun, there were very good reasons for this.

Jiri

[nynaevelan]

Hi Jiri:

I don't have a problem with the location, but is it also possible to change the location of the mediamonkey.ini file? Because I am using MM 2.5 and MM 3.0, my settings in MM 2.5 is getting messed up everytime I change the installation of MM 3.

Nyn

[Teknojnky]

Jiri, I think the problem(s) stem from the fact that MM users tend to not use MM as a 'standard' windows app.

Or we just disagree with 'standard windows app' behavior in general and do not wish to see MM change to this.

The problem with the ini solution is, that you either must use a shared ini file (in the program files\mediamonkey\) folder, or your ini file is still in the local settings folder.

What makes this a pain is that you can change the location of the 'my music' system folder, however you can not easily change the location of the user\local settings folders.

My own personal opinion is that applications should give user preference to where settings are stored. I personally prefer settings to be in the program folder with application global and user specific settings in the applicable ini files within the program folder. (ie mediamonkey.ini = global app settings, user.ini = user specific settings)

[jiri]

Well, I agree that more configuration options would be useful. We plan to support installations that don't depend on registry or misc Windows folders, i.e. something like U3 framework. It would probably resolve the problems mentioned here. It probably won't be in MM 3.0, but soon after 3.0.

Jiri

[Tankred]

1. I'm a little surprised that there's so much fuss about this, many applications store data there, for example WMP does.

Guess what, I do not use WMP...

Anyone who doesn't like it can customize DB location quite easily,

Okay, but I do like a default location that makes sense regarding regular backups.

The reason for this step is that this location is recommended for this kind of data by Windows standards.

Hm... you're the expert but I am not able to relate to this argument. Look at Firefox (e.g.), you can move the profile folder with all configuration files to any folder you like and that very easily. And think about portable applications where you don't have any traces in any place.

[monkey hi fi]

i gotta say it no matter how many don't like it.

but once again I have no trouble with this locataion stuff.

and I have No trouble with the ini for mm 2 being messed up by 3.
i have had both mm 2 and mm 3 on this system since alpha 1.

what is so hard to figure out? the ini file got over wrote on me also for mm 2. it was not a big deal the mm 2 thought it was the first time i started it when i wanted to use after i installed mm 3. so i just rescanned in the library and all's normal had my playlists and everything.

so i'm sorry if you had troubles but just try what i did and rescan the lirbrary in mm 2.

the location of the files is fine with me i understood that is because of m$ wanting certian files in certian places. just like they want the my photos and my videos and my music folders all in the my documents folder. as they told me when i asked them. " For Easy Of Use " that is m$'s reason for putting everything in the my doc'' folder.

i figured media monkey's creators were doing the same thing for the same reason. easy of use.

so this is just for you dev's of media monkey to make it easier on you.
"I Have No Problem where you place the files. if you wish to leave them in the place they are now its fine with me.
if you wish to move them its also fine with me "

[jiri]

Look at Firefox (e.g.), you can move the profile folder with all configuration files to any folder you like and that very easily.

Yes, as I wrote, something like this seems to be the best solution and should appear probably in MM 3.1. (I guess that we should change the numbering scheme, it looks to much like Windows 3.1... )

Jiri